Waste trap

ABSTRACT

A waste trap  10  for use in plumbing installations is provided, the trap comprising a unitary metal body  12  defining an interior volume, and having a tubular plastics insert  20  located in an inlet  14  of the body  12  and extending into the volume to below the height of a waste outlet  16 . The insert  20  partitions the upper portion of the volume into two regions, and serves to provide a water seal between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16  when the trap is in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste trap for use in plumbing installations and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is a requirement of environmental legislation that waste outlets from plumbing installations, such as sinks, basins, bathtubs, urinals, and the like, incorporate a waste trap between the installation and the mains outflow. Such waste traps prevent emission of noxious gases from the mains outflow, and help to provide a barrier between the plumbing installation and the mains outflow. A typical waste trap provides a water or other fluid seal within the plumbing, such that fluids may flow from the plumbing outflow, through the fluid seal, and into the mains outflow without disrupting the integrity of the fluid seal and hence the risk of emission of gases.

[0003] The traditional form of a water trap is the conventional U-bend; that is, a U-shaped section of piping which retains a water seal within the bend of the U. While this arrangement is adequate for many purposes, it does require a certain minimum amount of space for installation, which may not always be available. Further, as the importance of interior design increases, and customers become more sensitive to aesthetic appeal of products, the traditional U-bend is becoming less popular, due to its perception as unsightly. Generally U-bend traps have been installed in hidden plumbing arrangements, and so there has been little or no pressure for aesthetic appeal from the traps. However, as fashions move towards the use of more exposed plumbing, there are pressures towards the use of more compact and more aesthetically pleasing exposed waste traps.

[0004] More compact waste traps are known, which may be used in more restricted spaces than conventional U-bend traps. For example, compact injection-moulded plastics traps may be produced having an internal partition to create a water seal in use between an inlet and an outlet. Such traps are produced in two or more separate parts, a main body including the inlet, outlet, and partition, and a closure member which is subsequently sonic welded to the lower part of the body to form the complete trap; however, this method of production involves high initial costs, and is only economically viable for large production runs. These traps are known as ‘bottle traps’; bottle traps may be excluded from certain markets for regulatory reasons, in that typical bottle traps may be unable to meet particular stringent relevant legislation.

[0005] Many traditional plumbing products are now being produced from unusual materials for aesthetic reasons; for example, glass or marble basins and the like. These materials do not fit well visually with plastics traps. Traps are typically produced from injection-moulded plastics, but for aesthetic reasons many customers prefer to have a metallic appearance to the trap; hence the plastics trap may be plated with a thin layer of metal. Again, this increases the costs of manufacture. Further, the trap nonetheless retains the weight and feel of a plastics trap, which may deter some customers. However, plating technology now makes available a large range of different and unusual plating finishes, such as brushed, hammered, or weathered finishes of a range of different colours. Many of these finishes are not suitable for plating onto plastics products, and are thus excluded from use with conventional bottle traps.

[0006] It is among the objects of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of known waste traps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, to allow provision of a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet.

[0008] The present invention thus allows the body of the trap to be manufactured without an insert or partition for permitting creation of the liquid seal, thereby simplifying and rendering less expensive the manufacturing process—for example, in preferred embodiments of the invention complex injection moulds are not required to produce the body, since the internal topography of the trap is created by the insert; in addition, welding is not necessary to complete the body, so improving integrity of the body. The height of the water seal produced may also be varied through the simple expedient of using inserts of different lengths.

[0009] Preferably the body is a unitary body; that is, produced in one piece.

[0010] Preferably the body is formed of metal; conveniently brass or steel may be used. The body may be plated with a desired metal and finished appropriately; for example, a mirrored chrome plate. The provision of a metal body facilitates plating, and also assists production of a substantially smooth and seamless body. Preferably the body is produced by casting, most preferably die-casting. The separate nature of the body and the insert of the present invention allows a metal casting process to be used for manufacture. This is not only simple and relatively inexpensive when compared to injection moulding of plastics, but also allows for the manufacture of all-metal traps which have an aesthetically favourable appearance and feel. Furthermore, the relatively low costs involved in tooling up to produce a particular body facilitate small production runs, allowing body designs to change to take account of changing tastes, and the production of custom-made or low-volume body designs for specific customers. For example, a unique trap body design may be produced exclusively for fitting in a new building complex.

[0011] Preferably the insert is tubular, and more preferably cylindrical. While it may be possible for the insert to form a reliable seal by interaction of the insert with an inner wall of the body, it is preferred that the insert itself is tubular.

[0012] Preferably the insert is of plastics material; although metal or other suitable materials may be used if preferred. It is preferred that the insert is of a design which may be utilised in a variety of body forms or designs.

[0013] Preferably the insert is secured to the body; more preferably the insert is secured to the inlet of the body. For certain markets, it is required that the insert be secured to the inlet, since this prevents unauthorised removal of the insert and reduces the risk of tampering with the trap or of breaking the water seal and rendering the trap non-functional. For example, the UPC code in the United States of America demands that the water seal of a trap must be tamper-proof, and the present invention with a secured insert is intended to meet this code. The insert may be secured to the body by any suitable means, for example, glue, adhesive, welding, brazing, mechanical locking such as a snap-fit or keys, a cap, nut, or the like. In certain embodiments of the invention, the insert may be releasably secured to the body, so as to allow for removal of the insert if desired for example for cleaning or maintenance; again however certain markets demand that this is not possible and the insert is permanently fixed to the body or inlet to prevent removal.

[0014] Preferably the insert and body are manufactured separately, and the insert is subsequently inserted into the body.

[0015] Preferably the height of the inlet in the body is above the height of the outlet.

[0016] Preferably the body defines a top and a side, and the inlet is located in the top of the body and the outlet is located in the side of the body.

[0017] Preferably the body further comprises fittings for attaching the trap to other plumbing components. For example, screw threads may be provided on the outlet and inlet. Where the insert is secured to the body by means of a nut or the like, a screw thread may be provided on an exterior surface of the nut.

[0018] The trap may further comprise a second insert lining an internal surface of the outlet. This allows provision of a smooth internal bore of the outlet without the need for precision machining or manufacturing of the outlet bore itself.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a waste trap, the method comprising the steps of:

[0020] providing a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and

[0021] locating an insert in the inlet extending into the volume to below the height of the outlet.

[0022] The method may further comprise the step of securing the insert to the body.

[0023] The step of providing the body may comprise the step of producing a unitary body. The body may be produced by casting metal.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, wherein the trap contains a volume of liquid to provide a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a trap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention attached to a section of pipe;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the body of the trap of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a side view of the trap body of FIG. 2; and

[0029]FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the trap of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Referring first of all to FIG. 1, this shows a sectional view of a waste trap, in particular a pedestal lavatory trap, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trap 10 comprises a compact, cast brass body 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16, with the body 12 defining a volume 18 therebetween. The inlet 14 is located on the top of the body 12, with the outlet 16 being provided on the side of the body at a lower height.

[0031] Located within the body 12 and inlet 14 is a tubular plastics insert 20, which extends into the volume 18 to substantially below the height of the outlet 16. A shoulder 22 on the lower surface of the interior of the body provides a stop against which the insert 20 may rest. The top of the insert 20 carries a protruding flange 24, which rests on top of the inlet 14. A securing nut 26 is fastened to the body 12 by means of co-operating screw threads on the inlet and nut, and abuts the upper surface of the inlet flange 24 thereby serving to secure the inlet 20 within the body 12.

[0032] The outlet 16 of the body 12 also carries therein a second plastics insert 28, although this insert 28 does not extend into the volume 18 defined by the body. The insert 28 is also secured to the outlet 16 by means of a securing nut 30. The second insert 28 provides a smooth inner face to facilitate secure and fluid-tight fitting of a section of pipe 32 or the like into the trap 10 in use.

[0033]FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the body 12 of the trap of FIG. 1, showing the threaded inlet 14 and outlet 16. The body 12 is cast in a single unit from brass, which is then polished and plated to provide a smooth and seamless appearance. The plastics insert 20 is simply inserted into the inlet 14 and pushed into the volume 18 until the lower end of the insert abuts the stop 22. The securing nut 26 may then be fastened to the inlet 14 to securely retain the insert 20 therein.

[0034] Side and perspective views of the trap 10 are shown in FIGS. 3,4, and 5, which serve to illustrate the compact nature of the trap.

[0035] When in use, the trap 10 retains a column of water or other liquid within the volume 18 defined by the trap body 12. This column of water extends into the tubular insert 20 as well as that part of the volume outside the insert. Thus, the water column may act as a water seal to prevent backflow of fluids and gases through the trap 10.

[0036] The manufacture of the trap 10 is simplified by the integral nature of the body, and the ease of assembly of the body and insert. Further, the possibility of casting the body from metal allows for all-metal traps to be produced if desired. 

I claim:
 1. A waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, to allow provision of a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet.
 2. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is a unitary body.
 3. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed of metal.
 4. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is produced by casting.
 5. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is tubular.
 6. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is cylindrical.
 7. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is of plastics material.
 8. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is of a design which may be utilised in a variety of body forms or designs.
 9. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is secured to the body.
 10. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is secured to the inlet of the body.
 11. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is releasably secured to the body.
 12. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert and body are manufactured separately, and the insert is subsequently inserted into the body.
 13. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the height of the inlet in the body is above the height of the outlet.
 14. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body defines a top and a side, and the inlet is located in the top of the body and the outlet is located in the side of the body.
 15. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises fittings for attaching the trap to other plumbing components.
 16. A waste trap according to claim 1, further comprising a second insert lining an internal surface of the outlet.
 17. A method of manufacturing a waste trap, the method comprising the steps of: providing a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and locating an insert in the inlet extending into the volume to below the height of the outlet.
 18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of securing the insert to the body.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of providing the body comprises the step of producing a unitary body.
 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the body is produced by casting metal.
 21. A waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, wherein the trap contains a volume of liquid to provide a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet.
 22. A waste trap comprising a unitary metal body defining an interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet; wherein the insert is tamper-proof. 